Case Stories

Alfie  by Louise Potter
This 8 year old ex race-horse, ran about four races.   Prior to coming to his new home, he had been neglected and turned out in a field for a year.  When he was younger, he ran through a gate and now has occasional lameness and tightness on the left side. He has a sweet nature, but is easily stressed.  The aim of the Shiatsu was to balance him emotionally and help alleviate the stiffness. 

When I first saw him, he was very uncomfortable, and continuously rested his off-hind leg.  He was very full and stiff in the region of the deltoid muscle on the nearside shoulder, and the superficial gluteal muscle on the nearside rump.  I worked on points for hip pain muscle soreness, abdominal pain and shoulder pain.

Much work was done with the Large Intestine meridian, which is important for moving stagnant energy.  These points can benefit  pain in any part of body, and eliminate anything unwanted – physical or emotional.  Work was also done to balance the nervous system and emotions. 

The majority of work with Alfie has been on the Metal Element meridians (Lung and Large Intestine).  Emotionally these relate to borders and boundaries, protection and elimination.  Fire Element meridians were  also worked .  Fire Element controls Metal (think of fire softening metal and making it more flexible).  The Fire element also harbours the Spirit, so Alfies' spirit emerged as he softened his borders and boundaries, and began to let go, both physically of his tense muscles, and emotionally began to open up and let others in.  I also worked on meridians to help Alfie retain energy from his food, as he was not putting on weight. 

Alfie: Before Treatment, 2nd March 2008

Alfie: 9th May 2008

The photographs taken after 5 sessions show that Alfie is much more rounded, and has lost the tension in his back and hindquarters.  He has also begun to put on weight .

 Team Ruxton by Vicky Raymond                                  

Team Ruxton!
 
Milly, Vicky, Kim, Melanie and David
As the title describes this article is all about the team effort that worked towards success for Team Ruxton at the National  Dressage Championships at Stoneleigh in 2008. Teamwork is defined as co-operation by a group of people to achieve a common goal.
I have been working with the Ruxton horses now for sometime but over the last few months I have been at the yard more frequently getting prepared for the National Championships with Ruxton Whisper and Ruxton Dimitri.
Ruxton Whisper is a fire horse; she is intelligent and eager to learn. Physically she has natural grace and style. Around the yard she is very nosey and neighs when the others are arriving and leaving the yard - it’s like she keeps a register! She loves attention and she is playful and friendly. At the National championships Ruxton Whisper came a close second to Christian Landolt in the Novice Open Championships and won the Best British Bred horse in the championships.

Ruxton Whisper & Melanie Phillips enjoying their lap of honour at the National Dressage Championships 2008.
Ruxton Dimitri is a wood horse, he is a natural athlete, he is muscular, athletic and flexible. He is independent and determined; he enjoys work and responds well under pressure. At the National championships Ruxton Dimitri put in a faultless performance finishing just outside the top ten.

Ruxton Dimitri & Melanie Phillips warming up at the National Dressage Championships 2008.
As a Shiatsu practitioner I am well aware of the difficulties experienced on yards where you advise change in certain situations for the good of the horse. Whilst you are there the yard manager or owner is agreeing with you, but on your next visit there has been no change. This is a disappointing situation to be in and it takes time and tact to try and resolve the matter. I’m sure we understand money and time constraints but somewhere there can always be a compromise. The work that has been done at ‘Ruxton Horses’ by Melanie Phillips and her family, the girls on the yard and myself has been intense, but satisfying and a good example of teamwork. The importance for us all, is the horses, we have taken responsibility to ensure that all of the Ruxton Horses are “Happy Athletes”. We all have important roles on the yard; Melanie obviously rides and is on the yard all day and notices if a horse may not be as responsive as usual. The girls give feedback on the handling and grooming and general exercise, and I am always looking for improvement in flexibility, muscle development and general horse happiness.
Surprisingly it is sometimes the smallest of things that can make the biggest difference for the horses. For example, doing leg rotations when picking the horses feet out before they leave the arena. Since showing this small exercise to the girls it has become routine at Ruxton and it doesn’t take up much time at all. The important thing was that we all got together and ensured that we all asked the horses to pick up their feet in the same way, so the horses had a better understanding of what was asked and we were all singing from the same hymn sheet!
In conclusion I feel without teamwork from the owner or who ever has responsibility for the horse my work as a shiatsu practitioner is limited. I always try to think outside the box, understand the situation the owner is in and strive to find a compromise that works best for the horse.

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This page last updated: 30-Mar-2009